Ministry Says 10 Killed in Yemen Military Plane Crash

Nov. 21, 2012 - 07:43AM
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Yemeni firefighters extinguish a blaze Nov. 21 at the scene of a military plane crash in Sanaa. Ten people, including the pilot, were killed as the Antonov jet tried to make an emergency landing when an engine failed, Yemen's defence ministry and an airport source said. (GAMAL NOMAN / AFP)

SAN’A — A military plane crashed in San’a on Nov. 21, killing 10 people including the pilot, as it tried to make an emergency landing when an engine failed, Yemen’s defense ministry and an airport source said.

“An Antonov crashed following a technical problem. The pilot and nine other people were killed,” said a statement on the defense ministry’s website, 26sep.net.

The plane crashed in San’a’s northern neighborhood of Al-Hassaba, according to an AFP photographer who saw three charred bodies on the ground at the crash site.

The airport source said the Antonov came down while trying to land at an air base near San’a’s main airport.

“The military aircraft, which was on a training mission, tried to make an emergency landing after its engine failed but crashed at Al-Hassaba,” the source told AFP.

A resident said three explosions occurred as the plane crashed, followed by plumes of smoke.

Firefighters and ambulances raced to the site, while a helicopter flew overhead, according to residents.